I had a great experience just the other day. I was on Twitter checking my @mentions and I read a tweet from someone (anonymous for now) that said he had really been into my playlist on Turntable.fm (which had been from a few days prior). I responded with “Thanks! 90s music is the best” (I had been hanging out in a 90s music room, an obvious choice). This one response to his original tweet and this similar taste in good music kicked off a discussion on Twitter between the two of us (complete strangers at the time) that lasted (casually) for multiple days. We talked about our internships, our tastes in music, developments in the tech and marketing space, and even touched on bands we used to play in. I eventually mentioned that I’m a musician and write my own music. See where this is going?
On Turntable.fm (for those of you not yet familiar), users can hang out in rooms that are categorized by musical style (or decade, like the 90s room I mentioned). Anyone with a friend on Facebook who’s on Turntable.fm can join and use the service. (If you’re not on Turntable.fm yet and don’t have a Facebook friend who’s on either, feel free to friend me on Facebook to gain access. You’re welcome). People join rooms and can search and upload music from iTunes or their own computers (musicians – another great way to promote your music) and play it for everyone in the room. There is a points system where users can vote the music you’re playing “Awesome” or “Lame” – obviously the more “Awesomes” you get the more points you make. Personally I don’t go on Turntable to accumulate points (or not yet at least) – I prefer using the community as a music-discovery service. I’ve already started listening to a number of bands I had never heard of before going on Turntable. For me, this is the most unique part of the service.
Back to my original point, though. Me and anonymous user had been in the same room and connected on Twitter because my Turntable username is @davehennessy (my Twitter handle). He had messaged me after hanging out in the 90s room and enjoying my playlist. We started a discussion (as I mentioned) and eventually got to the topic of music. The next time I logged onto Facebook, there was a notification that he had Liked my musician page on Facebook. Yes, it’s only one more fan, but take into consideration the entire process. I had been casually hanging out on Turntable.fm and was then tweeted based on my musical taste. This started a discussion (which also connected us on Twitter) and eventually led to another fan of my music on Facebook.
The Web is social now more than ever, my friends (and musicians especially). Use social services like Turntable to connect with others and build relationships. It’s fun, it’s casual, and it’s absolutely the future of marketing.
Oh, and go hit up those 90s rooms on Turntable. Gin Blossoms all day long.
